Skip to content

Population in Lesotho compared to Mozambique: Trends, Charts, Rankings

Updated on by Georank

The latest officially reported population of Lesotho was 2,363,325 in 2025 vs 35,631,653 people in Mozambique in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Lesotho's population is 2,402,837 people compared to 37,173,146 in Mozambique.

Population statistics:

  • Mozambique's population is 15.5 times bigger than Lesotho's.
  • Lesotho is ranked the 143rd most populous country in the world, while Mozambique is the 44th.
  • The countries together account for 0.48% of the world: 0.03% for Lesotho vs 0.45% for Mozambique.
  • For the last 10 years, Lesotho has had an average growth rate of +1.17% per year vs +2.98% in Mozambique.
  • Since 2006, the population of Lesotho has increased from 1.95M people to 2.4M (23.5% growth), while Mozambique has grown from 20.8M to 37.2M (78.8% growth).

Lesotho vs Mozambique: population by year and forecast

Lesotho
Factual

Projection
Mozambique
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Population
Lesotho Mozambique
2100 3,280,518 105,628,248
2099 3,286,430 105,234,999
2098 3,292,231 104,803,506
2097 3,297,835 104,372,940
2096 3,302,758 103,907,178
2095 3,307,678 103,425,281
2094 3,311,734 102,934,227
2093 3,315,488 102,409,874
2092 3,319,391 101,875,140
2091 3,322,303 101,356,290
2090 3,324,499 100,775,909
2089 3,326,577 100,158,269
2088 3,328,210 99,540,971
2087 3,329,694 98,890,285
2086 3,330,185 98,236,067
2085 3,330,989 97,557,661
2084 3,331,214 96,874,408
2083 3,331,221 96,142,098
2082 3,330,964 95,398,149
2081 3,330,141 94,657,513
2080 3,328,997 93,907,673
2079 3,326,895 93,121,830
2078 3,324,376 92,301,373
2077 3,321,152 91,481,344
2076 3,317,581 90,650,714
2075 3,313,968 89,800,986
2074 3,308,905 88,951,683
2073 3,303,592 88,066,368
2072 3,297,913 87,164,412
2071 3,291,224 86,237,232
2070 3,283,387 85,304,148
2069 3,274,978 84,316,537
2068 3,265,887 83,356,481
2067 3,256,362 82,393,396
2066 3,246,639 81,393,563
2065 3,236,890 80,403,306
2064 3,226,227 79,391,403
2063 3,214,843 78,388,769
2062 3,202,027 77,335,297
2061 3,188,674 76,234,094
2060 3,174,740 75,157,247
2059 3,159,947 74,043,229
2058 3,144,797 72,919,832
2057 3,129,007 71,789,848
2056 3,112,877 70,640,165
2055 3,095,653 69,505,255
2054 3,078,317 68,382,812
2053 3,059,904 67,270,892
2052 3,040,402 66,128,092
2051 3,019,864 64,998,059
2050 2,999,214 63,864,196
2049 2,977,795 62,698,049
2048 2,955,487 61,546,964
2047 2,932,450 60,391,850
2046 2,909,071 59,241,784
2045 2,885,303 58,101,216
2044 2,861,140 56,939,196
2043 2,836,547 55,785,114
2042 2,811,435 54,603,959
2041 2,785,921 53,447,648
2040 2,760,167 52,277,886
2039 2,734,178 51,108,793
2038 2,707,996 49,947,146
2037 2,681,646 48,801,599
2036 2,654,540 47,643,184
2035 2,627,488 46,495,588
2034 2,600,669 45,334,434
2033 2,573,856 44,205,611
2032 2,547,137 43,079,649
2031 2,520,626 41,971,121
2030 2,494,444 40,879,911
2029 2,468,067 39,797,126
2028 2,441,673 38,728,158
2027 2,415,634 37,676,618
2026 2,389,322 36,641,390
2025 2,363,325 35,631,653
2024 2,337,423 34,631,766
2023 2,311,472 33,635,160
2022 2,286,110 32,656,246
2021 2,261,542 31,707,800
2020 2,235,727 30,783,688
2019 2,209,405 29,884,380
2018 2,183,603 29,018,644
2017 2,157,110 28,166,393
2016 2,130,422 27,337,105
2015 2,104,611 26,547,572
2014 2,080,089 25,788,475
2013 2,056,504 25,051,611
2012 2,034,354 24,337,846
2011 2,014,009 23,649,039
2010 1,996,251 22,999,235
2009 1,980,883 22,391,745
2008 1,966,541 21,819,036
2007 1,953,268 21,287,635
2006 1,945,063 20,787,087
2005 1,953,076 20,304,569
2004 1,971,129 19,840,313
2003 1,985,059 19,392,475
2002 1,994,679 18,958,338
2001 2,000,853 18,537,729
2000 2,003,913 18,129,653
1999 2,003,234 17,734,506
1998 1,998,049 17,340,464
1997 1,988,130 16,949,982
1996 1,972,418 16,492,480
1995 1,951,437 15,960,530
1994 1,927,707 15,033,853
1993 1,901,793 14,051,192
1992 1,873,274 13,613,316
1991 1,842,379 13,352,090
1990 1,809,696 13,094,537
1989 1,775,436 12,906,842
1988 1,739,841 12,800,558
1987 1,703,390 12,822,574
1986 1,666,138 12,770,578
1985 1,624,379 12,548,949
1984 1,578,986 12,315,954
1983 1,534,413 12,073,822
1982 1,490,732 11,824,370
1981 1,448,069 11,568,127
1980 1,406,521 11,336,221
1979 1,366,169 11,028,809
1978 1,327,240 10,618,250
1977 1,289,967 10,224,975
1976 1,253,214 9,867,209
1975 1,213,643 9,540,817
1974 1,172,420 9,236,093
1973 1,132,697 8,954,242
1972 1,094,063 8,692,935
1971 1,056,246 8,456,317
1970 1,019,273 8,250,506
1969 983,202 8,066,951
1968 948,105 7,892,613
1967 913,982 7,724,550
1966 881,870 7,562,990
1965 854,090 7,406,421
1964 829,437 7,255,061
1963 805,373 7,109,828
1962 781,814 6,969,364
1961 758,824 6,834,936
1960 736,500 6,713,695

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/mozambique | CC BY

From 2006 to 2016, the population of Lesotho increased by 185,359 people (a 9.53% growth), while Mozambique gained 6,550,018 people (a 31.5% growth).

For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Lesotho gained 272,415 people (a 12.8% growth), while Mozambique's population increased by 9,836,041 people (a 36% growth).

Lesotho was ranked 144th most populous country in 2006 and is 143rd in 2026. Mozambique was ranked 52nd in 2006 and ranked 44th now.

The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Lesotho's population will grow by 24.8% to 2,999,214 people with a rank change from 143rd to 141st. The population of Mozambique will increase by 71.8% to 63,864,196 people and rank change from 44th to 32nd.

Lesotho is projected to reach its peak in 2083 at 3.33M people compared to the peak of 106M people in 2100 for Mozambique.

Population growth rate by year

Lesotho
Factual

Projection
Mozambique
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Growth rate
Lesotho Mozambique
2100 -0.18% 0.37%
2099 -0.18% 0.41%
2098 -0.17% 0.41%
2097 -0.15% 0.45%
2096 -0.15% 0.47%
2095 -0.12% 0.48%
2094 -0.11% 0.51%
2093 -0.12% 0.52%
2092 -0.09% 0.51%
2091 -0.07% 0.58%
2090 -0.06% 0.62%
2089 -0.05% 0.62%
2088 -0.04% 0.66%
2087 -0.01% 0.67%
2086 -0.02% 0.7%
2085 -0.007% 0.71%
2084 -0% 0.76%
2083 0.008% 0.78%
2082 0.02% 0.78%
2081 0.03% 0.8%
2080 0.06% 0.84%
2079 0.08% 0.89%
2078 0.1% 0.9%
2077 0.11% 0.92%
2076 0.11% 0.95%
2075 0.15% 0.95%
2074 0.16% 1.01%
2073 0.17% 1.03%
2072 0.2% 1.08%
2071 0.24% 1.09%
2070 0.26% 1.17%
2069 0.28% 1.15%
2068 0.29% 1.17%
2067 0.3% 1.23%
2066 0.3% 1.23%
2065 0.33% 1.27%
2064 0.35% 1.28%
2063 0.4% 1.36%
2062 0.42% 1.44%
2061 0.44% 1.43%
2060 0.47% 1.5%
2059 0.48% 1.54%
2058 0.5% 1.57%
2057 0.52% 1.63%
2056 0.56% 1.63%
2055 0.56% 1.64%
2054 0.6% 1.65%
2053 0.64% 1.73%
2052 0.68% 1.74%
2051 0.69% 1.78%
2050 0.72% 1.86%
2049 0.75% 1.87%
2048 0.79% 1.91%
2047 0.8% 1.94%
2046 0.82% 1.96%
2045 0.84% 2.04%
2044 0.87% 2.07%
2043 0.89% 2.16%
2042 0.92% 2.16%
2041 0.93% 2.24%
2040 0.95% 2.29%
2039 0.97% 2.33%
2038 0.98% 2.35%
2037 1.02% 2.43%
2036 1.03% 2.47%
2035 1.03% 2.56%
2034 1.04% 2.55%
2033 1.05% 2.61%
2032 1.05% 2.64%
2031 1.05% 2.67%
2030 1.07% 2.72%
2029 1.08% 2.76%
2028 1.08% 2.79%
2027 1.1% 2.83%
2026 1.1% 2.83%
2025 1.11% 2.89%
2024 1.12% 2.96%
2023 1.11% 3%
2022 1.09% 2.99%
2021 1.15% 3%
2020 1.19% 3.01%
2019 1.18% 2.98%
2018 1.23% 3.03%
2017 1.25% 3.03%
2016 1.23% 2.97%
2015 1.18% 2.94%
2014 1.15% 2.94%
2013 1.09% 2.93%
2012 1.01% 2.91%
2011 0.89% 2.83%
2010 0.78% 2.71%
2009 0.73% 2.62%
2008 0.68% 2.5%
2007 0.42% 2.41%
2006 -0.41% 2.38%
2005 -0.92% 2.34%
2004 -0.7% 2.31%
2003 -0.48% 2.29%
2002 -0.31% 2.27%
2001 -0.15% 2.25%
2000 0.03% 2.23%
1999 0.26% 2.27%
1998 0.5% 2.3%
1997 0.8% 2.77%
1996 1.08% 3.33%
1995 1.23% 6.16%
1994 1.36% 6.99%
1993 1.52% 3.22%
1992 1.68% 1.96%
1991 1.81% 1.97%
1990 1.93% 1.45%
1989 2.05% 0.83%
1988 2.14% -0.17%
1987 2.24% 0.41%
1986 2.57% 1.77%
1985 2.87% 1.89%
1984 2.9% 2.01%
1983 2.93% 2.11%
1982 2.95% 2.22%
1981 2.95% 2.05%
1980 2.95% 2.79%
1979 2.93% 3.87%
1978 2.89% 3.85%
1977 2.93% 3.63%
1976 3.26% 3.42%
1975 3.52% 3.3%
1974 3.51% 3.15%
1973 3.53% 3.01%
1972 3.58% 2.8%
1971 3.63% 2.49%
1970 3.67% 2.28%
1969 3.7% 2.21%
1968 3.73% 2.18%
1967 3.64% 2.14%
1966 3.25% 2.11%
1965 2.97% 2.09%
1964 2.99% 2.04%
1963 3.01% 2.02%
1962 3.03% 1.97%
1961 3.03% 1.81%

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/mozambique | CC BY

In 2025, the population of Lesotho grew by 1.11%, while Mozambique's population grew by 2.89%.

Live population counters

Lesotho Mozambique
Current population
2402837
37173146
Population rank 143/197 44/197
Percent of world population 0.03% 0.45%
One net population change
20.3 minutes
31.6 seconds
One birth every
9.46 minutes
24.6 seconds
One death every
21.5 minutes
2.2 minutes
Daily growth/decline +71 +2,739
Annual growth/decline +25,902 +999,887
Annual growth/decline rate +1.11% +2.89%
Population growth rate rank 94/197 17/197
One migration net change every
1.69 hours
8.04 minutes
Annual migration change -5,192 -65,573
Net migration rank 117/196 178/196
Foreign-born residents 15,039 353,143
Foreign-born residents rank 173/195 93/195
Foreign-born share of population 0.6% 1%
Foreign-born share rank 170/195 154/195

Natural population change vs migration

Lesotho
Natural

Migration
Mozambique
Natural

Migration
1x
Year Population change
Lesotho Mozambique
Natural Migration Natural Migration
2025 - -5,192 - -65,573
2024 31,050 -5,107 1,043,109 -38,940
2023 31,115 -5,168 1,025,334 -36,276
2022 30,803 -6,023 1,003,689 -34,936
2021 27,806 -3,449 951,234 -23,103
2020 30,721 -3,449 945,952 -25,864
2019 32,279 -6,896 927,581 -49,080
2018 33,112 -6,892 903,176 -50,224
2017 33,601 -6,850 876,594 -25,043
2016 33,390 -6,766 850,430 -43,398
2015 32,087 -7,087 824,435 -52,374
2014 30,922 -6,877 799,778 -53,625
2013 29,789 -6,659 784,641 -57,067
2012 27,592 -6,425 763,088 -63,131
2011 25,647 -6,118 741,303 -63,638
2010 21,877 -5,886 719,025 -97,079
2009 20,335 -5,599 693,673 -100,625
2008 19,349 -5,392 654,920 -102,534
2007 17,763 -5,179 610,913 -100,490
2006 15,234 -11,416 586,009 -95,333
2005 15,831 -35,679 570,132 -95,770
2004 17,271 -33,530 554,973 -100,824
2003 20,133 -31,723 540,992 -99,484
2002 22,274 -29,924 529,867 -103,102
2001 23,190 -27,874 519,594 -105,130
2000 24,786 -26,220 506,162 -104,476
1999 27,393 -24,610 491,814 -103,223
1998 30,889 -23,299 474,453 -74,952
1997 34,637 -22,396 461,209 -79,732
1996 36,228 -17,042 442,559 90,975
1995 37,370 -14,588 421,630 108,751
1994 38,629 -13,953 384,821 938,163
1993 40,505 -13,347 369,518 272,829
1992 42,579 -12,707 362,373 -128,960
1991 44,026 -12,114 357,676 -68,644
1990 45,060 -11,598 353,290 -127,215
1989 46,264 -11,207 348,833 -199,509
1988 47,158 -11,028 349,480 -286,247
1987 47,718 -10,946 334,438 -441,710
1986 45,232 -7,501 332,609 -121,350
1985 44,575 1,222 307,625 -75,642
1984 43,785 1,199 304,524 -70,532
1983 42,899 1,253 324,158 -73,899
1982 41,941 1,281 321,493 -72,852
1981 40,808 1,307 322,207 -58,347
1980 39,617 1,361 349,586 -149,650
1979 38,440 1,285 331,162 83,699
1978 37,084 1,047 310,403 95,859
1977 35,654 746 289,193 91,082
1976 34,117 2,986 273,924 61,326
1975 32,311 9,723 257,984 59,562
1974 30,444 9,972 240,665 51,238
1973 28,859 10,183 226,847 44,951
1972 27,841 10,386 215,793 35,023
1971 26,838 10,563 211,137 11,297
1970 25,935 10,605 207,385 -18,197
1969 25,137 10,465 202,174 -24,251
1968 24,490 10,108 197,623 -26,872
1967 23,911 9,734 193,044 -27,672
1966 23,326 7,248 189,218 -31,462
1965 22,755 2,239 185,931 -30,538
1964 22,116 2,198 182,334 -35,005
1963 21,585 2,220 180,867 -37,738
1962 21,132 2,172 176,297 -38,504
1961 20,581 2,100 171,236 -40,181
1960 19,981 1,989 165,774 -54,351

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/mozambique | CC BY

Over the last 10 years, 84.6% of the population change in Lesotho is from natural causes (a gain of 315,964 people) and 15.4% is from migration (a loss of 57,687 people). In Mozambique 96.1% is from natural causes (a gain of 9,351,534 people) and 3.9% is from migration (a loss of 379,238 people).

As of 2024, 15,039 residents or 0.6% of the population were not native-born in Lesotho, compared to 353,143 people or 1% in Mozambique.

Biggest cities by population

Lesotho
City Population
Maseru 344K
Teyateyaneng 75.1K
Mafeteng 57.1K
Butha-Buthe 10K
Mozambique
City Population
Maputo 1.13M
Matola 1.03M
Nampula 743K
Beira 531K
Quelimane 350K
Chimoio 239K
Nacala 225K
Tete 153K
Pemba 141K
Xai-Xai 116K

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Population map with other countries

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/mozambique | CC BY

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.